Mark Twain

Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc Mark Twain

The Sieur Louis de Conte, a fictional character invented by Mark Twain, tells the story of Joan of Arc, Louis' childhood friend and an actual figure in history, who fights for French independence from the English in the 15th century. Louis accompanies Joan as her secretary through the battles and witnesses her trial and execution at the hands of the English.




Joan of Arc grows up in Domremy, a small village in the eastern part of France. Armagnacs, or French loyalists, populate her village in an area dominated by Burgundians, or English sympathizers. Her life proceeds normally until she hears voices from saints and angels who urge her to fight for French independence from the English.




She must first convince the governor of Vaucouleurs to provide her with an armed escort to Chinon, where Charles VII resides, the dauphine of France. The governor refuses, but Joan persists until he agrees to provide the armed escort. Only sixteen years old, Joan leaves for Chinon with veteran knights, Louis the narrator and several of her childhood friends.